Feed apparatus for pipe coating machines and the like



A. G. PERKINS Nov. 16, 1937.

FEED APPARATUS FOR PIPE COATING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed July lO, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet l A. G. PERKINS Nov. 16, 1937.

FEED APPARATUS FOR PIPE COATING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed July 10, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. G. PERKINS 2,099,346 FEED APPARATUS FOR PIPE COATING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Nov. 16, 1937.

Filed July l0, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet v5 NOV. 16, 1937. A Q PERKlNS' 2,099,346

FEED APPARATUS FOR PIPE COATING MACHINES ANDVTHE LIKE Filed July l0, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 16, 1937. A. GfPERKINs 2,099,346

FEED APPARATUS FOR PIPE COATING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed July 1o, 1935 s s`heets-sheet 5 M i A Ol I O' T Il E I v g O QQ g I 5 'Il 'hun' hl', d

ww fm/ Nov. 16, 1937 A, G. PERKlNS 2,099,346

FEED APPARATUS FOR PIPE CO'ATING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed July lO, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 'gorngy.

Patented Nov. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FEED APPARATUS FOB PIPE COATING MACHINES AND THE LIKE This invention relates generally to an apparatus for applying a protective coating or lining to the inner walls of pipe lines, conduits and the like, but more particularly to the means for feeding the coating material to the apparatus as it travels through the pipe line.

One of its objects is the provision of a feed apparatus for pipe coating machines which is so designed and constructed as to travel through the pipe in operative relation to the coating machine and thereby assure a constant supply of material for the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for controlling and synchronizing the speed of the feeding meanswith that of the coating machine so as to maintain the former in tandem feed relation to the machine. l

A further object is the provision of a feed apparatus of this character having a conveying unit in constant feed relation with the coating machine and a material supply unit movable in the pipe to and from the conveying unit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a self-propelled supply unit which is so designed as to be automatically controlled when in operative dumping relation with the conveying unit to thereby insure the proper operative relation between these units at that time.

Other features of the invention reside in 'the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pipe coating machine shown within a pipe line and with the discharge end of thel feed apparatus operatively associated therewith. Figure 2 is a side elevation of the feed apparatus with its various parts in feeding position. Figures 3 and 4 are enlarged cross sectional views taken substantially in the planes of the correspondingly numbered lines in Figure 2. Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken through the conveying unit of the feed apparatus. Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the same with a portion of the conveying tube removed. Figure 7 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the supply truck with its dump body in its elevated dumping position over the conveyor unit. Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the supply truck. Figure 9 is a cross section thereof taken substantially in the plane of line 9 9, Figure 8. Figure 10 is a side elevation of the coating machine showing the material supply truck in operative relation thereto.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

By way of example, my improved feed apparatus has been shown in connection with a machine for applying a protective coating or lining of plastic material such as concrete to the inner walls oi' pipe lines, conduits and the like. 'I'he coating machine may be oi any suitable and well known construction and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 10 consists oi a wheeled carriage or frame i4 1 which is adapted to be propelled through the pipe line I5 and which is provided with a hopper or container I6 for the coating material, and a revolving dispensing or discharge head I1 disposed axially of the pipe and into which the material is delivered from the hopper and from which it is discharged by centrifugal force onto the pipe wall. My improved feed apparatusis adapted to keep the coating machine supplied with coating material as it travels through the pipe andin its general organizationconsists of a conveying unit which is disposed in tandem-like communicating relation with the machine hopper i6, and\a supply unit which is likewise movable through the pipe to and from the conveying unit to bring the material from a predetermined supply source externally of the pipe to the conveying unit.

The conveying unit which is operatively coupled with the coating machine to continuously feed the material thereto as it travels through the pipe is preferably constructed as follows:

'I'he working parts of this conveyor unit are mounted on a wheeled carriage or frame I8 provided at its front end with drive wheels I9 engaging the pipe wall at opposite sides of the center, and a rear steering wheel 20 which engages the bottom of the pipe wall. Mounted on the front end of the carriage i8 is a receiver or hopper 2l having a conveyor tube 22 extending in an inclined direction from its rear end and opening ai; its upper discharge end 23 into the companion hopper i 6 of the coating machine, as seen in Figures 1, 2, and 5. In its bottom the conveying unit hopper 2l has a conveyor screw 24 and connected 4; by a universal joint 25 with the latter is a similar feed screw 26 extending through the conveyor tube 22, whereby the material is conveyed from the hopper through the tube and thence discharged into the coating machine. The hopper 5:; 2l and its discharge tube 22 are so mounted as to have a movement laterally of the carriage I8 so as to permit a displacement of these parts relative to the coating machine in passing through curved portions of the pipe being coated. 55

For thispurpose the hopper 2i is pivoted at 2'! to thefrqnt end of the carriage i8. The discharge end 2li l the conveyor tube rests on the top front edge of the coating machine hopper it, and. as shown in Figure 5, may have a depending flange 2t thereon which hooks behind the iront wall of such hopper to normally maintain the conveyor unit in coupled engagement with the coating machine and yet permits a limited longitudinal relative displacement between them. Zit will also be noted that the bottom side of the conveyor tube i2 has a horizontally-disposed portion 2t* adjacent its discharge end which is supported -ona guide roller t@ mounted on the front end of the coating machine.

The conveying unit is provided with its own drive or propelling means which preferably consists of an electric motor til of the reversible type and which is mounted on the rear end oi the conveyor carriage iti and connected by a sproclretand chain drive t2 with a speed-reducing unit tlii and thence by sprocket and chain drives dit and 3o with the drive wheels it of the carriage, as seen in Figure 6. A suitable clutch tid is pro vided for controlling the transmission of power from the motor tothe drive wheels. This rnotor also serves to operate the conveyor screws 2d yand ttl and for this purpose a driven shaft il is provided which is connected by sprocket and chain drive @it with a shaft il@ connected to the speedreducing unit tti. Said. shaft Sli is connected by reduction .gearing it with a propeller shaft fil which is in turn connected y conveyor screw A suitable clutch Q3 is likewise interposed hetween the shaft diend the reduction gearing dii for controlling the transmission ci motion to the feed screws.

For the purpose oi maintaining the conveying unit in operative tandem relation to the coating machine, it is desirable to maintain the vspeed ci travel of the conveying unit the same as that ci the coating machine, and for this purpose means are provided ior automatically controlling the motor Si to synchronize the speed o. travel of the conveying unit with that of the coating machine. To this end, the motor di is ci the variable speed type and is provided with a brush shitting lever dii connected to one end ci a vertically swinging rock lever l5 fulcrurned intermediateits ends at dit alongside the motor and having its other end connected to an actuating element which may be in the form oi' a wire or cable housed and guided within a horrible hose or tubing fit. At its opposite end this actuating element is' connected at iii to the front end of the coating machine, as shown in Figures l, 2, and, il, to exert a push or a pull thereon. Should the coating machine assume a speed faster than that oi the conveyor unit, a forward push will he eirerted on the actuating element il and elect a corresponding movement of the brush-shifting lever [iii to accordingly increase the speed of the motor 3l to propel the conveyor unit at substantially the same speed as the coating machine. Conversely, when the speed oi the coating niachine is slowed down relatively to that of such machine, a rearward pull is exerted on the actuating elementlli to correspondingly shift the lever it in a direction to reduce the speed ot the conveyor unit motor 3l to substantially that of the coating machine. During the automatic control of the motor 3i to govern its speed to accordingly propel the conveyor'unit simultaneously with that of the coating machine, a relative longitudinal displacement is permitted -tween these parte by gears i2 with they accanito between the discharge end oi the conveyor tube t2 and the coating machine, such displacement being adorded by the sliding contact between the portion "iii or the conveyor tube and the contiguous portion or the coating machine hopper it, whereby a certain amount of lost motion heis permitted during the synchronization o the speeds or the conveyor unit and the coating machine.

lThe supply unit for furnishing the coating ma. terial to the conveyor unit hopper di is adapted to travel bach and forth through the pipe being coated to receive a charge of material from a point externally of the pipe, say through a man hole opening in the pipe, and thereupon return to a position in tandem relation to the conveyor unit and dump the material into its hopper. rl'his supply unit preferably consists oi a truclr frame @il mounted on iront and rear wheels lili and et, respectively, and having a material receiver or dump loody liti which is so mounted as to be projected to an elevated dump position overhanging the conveyor unit hopper di, as shown in Figure 2. The truclr may be propelled by a reversible electric niotor liti mounted on the under side ot" the truclr trarne and connected by a speedereducing unit with the rear axle liti through the medium ot a sprocket and chain drive it its iront end the truclr body has an operators platform from which point the truclr is manually controlled. The dump "cody is supported tor longitudinal movement on an elevating platform connected by verticallyswinging parallel links it@ with the opposite sides of the truclr trarne. Rollers iii 'are applied to this platform to support the dump body in rolling contact therewith and thereby facilitate its movement longitudinally into and out of a dumping position. This elevating platform may be actuated in any suitable manner and l have shown, by tray oi example, a pneumatic lifting device indicated generally by the numeral @2 and including a plunger @it operatively connected to the platform to control its elevating movements.

and a hand lever til fior governing the movement or" the lift plunger. is shown in Figure 3, the dump lood-y has displaceable bottom walls it which may he controlled in the usual manner, as by a chain and actuating wheel lill. For the purpose of limiting the rearward movement of the dump body on its elevating platform to the dumping position shown in Figure 2, provide a holding chain Sii. To prevent any tendency oi' the dump body to tilt downwardly when in its dumping position shown in liilgure 2, a stabilizer is applied to the iront end of the elevating platiorrn such stabilizer consisting of a yoire Elli rising troni the platform and having a roller or like element ill at its upper end which is adapted to contact with the pipe wail. in the lowered position ci' the dump hotly platform shown by dotted lines in ti'tigure t', the stabiliser is out oi contact pipe.

For the purpose oi controlling the transmission oi motion from the rnotor ed to the drive wheels di! oi the supply truck, both manually and automatically, a clutch mechanism is provided which is preferably' constructed as follows:

.associated with one end oi the axle tti, which is hollow, is a disc clutch lli actuated into and out ot its released position by an axially-movable thrust rod or shaft l2 extending through the axle and provided at its inner end with a cotte'r pin i3 engaging -a longitudinal slot ill in the axle, as shown in Figure 9. A thrust collar lli is slidably mounted on the axle for abutting engagement with the cotter pin 13 to effect the shifting of the thrust if'od in a direction to engage the clutch. The shi ting of the collar 1I to effect the engagement and disengagement of the clutch 1| is effected by a swinging yoke lever 16 engageable at one end with the thrust collar 15 and' connected at its opposite end by links 11 with a shiftable clutch-controlling shaft 1l. This shaft is dis posed lengthwise of the truck 'frame for axially shiftable movement, having an operating lever 19 at its front end which has a cam face l0 on its hub portion for contacting with a pin Il on the shaft, so that upon rocking the lever 10 in one direction or the other, the shaft 18 is axially shifted to accordingly actuate the yoke lever 10 to engage or disengage the clutch. A spring 82 constantly urges the control shaft 1I in a rearward direction to engage the pipe.

At its rear end, the clutch-controlling shaft 1I is provided with an automatically-actuated lever 83 which is fulcrumed at its lower end at 8l for a swinging movement fore and aft of the supply truck and which is connected' at` Il to the shaft 18, as shown in Figures 7 and 9. At its upper end this lever is preferably provided with an antifriction roller 88 which is adapted to abutting engagement with the adjoining end of the conveyor unit in the manner shown by dotted lines in Figure 2. By the provision of this lever, when the supply truck is in operative relation to the conveyor unit, its roller-end contacts the adjoining end wall of the conveyor unit and is held thereby in a clutch-releasing position, the movement of the conveyor unit in reality pushing the supply truck with it. Should the supply truck for any reason become out of abutting engagement with the conveyor unit, then the spring 82 shifts the clutch control shaft 18 rearwardly and like- Wise the automatically-actuated' lever B3 to clutch-engaging positions, so that motion is transmitted to the supply truck in a direction to bring it in proper dumping relation with the conveyor unit. By the provision of the lever 83, furthermoreZ the supply truck is always maintained automatically in an operative tandem relation to the conveyor unit. The manual control lever 1S, when operating the supply truck, is in its engaged position, so that when the automatic action is brought into play, the automatic lever` 83 actuates the clutch accordingly and the hand lever, while engaged, is unaffected and the control of the clutch is by the automatic clutch releasing lever.

There is suiilclent drag on the discs of the clutch 1i so that when the supply truck motor 54 is reversed to propel the truck back to the sources of material supply, the truck will move away from the conveyor unit, even though there is Contact between the automatic clutch control lever 83 and the conveyor unit. Y

In Figure 10 I have shown the supplytruck 59 in direct dumping relation with the coating machine. Such an arrangement may be used in pipes of very large diameters and thereby dispense with the intermediate conveying unit. In this case the automatic clutch control lever 83 of the supply truck is adapted to contact with the front end of the coating machine carriage.

I claim as my inventiom- 1. In a machine for lining pipe walls having a carriage adapted to travel through the pipe, means applied thereto for receiving a supply of coating material, and a revolving dispensing head communicating with said receiving. means for means for propelling projecting the material onto the pipe wall, and a feed device for delivering the material to the machine comprising a carriage adapted to travel through the pipe in tandem relation to the machine, means for propelling said last-named' carriage, and control means for said propelling means disposed in contacting relation with the machine-carriage for causing said last-named carriage to travel at the same speed as the maf chine-carriage.

2. In a machine for lining pipe walls having a carriage adapted to travel through the pipe, the carriage, means applied thereto for receiving a supply of coating material and a revolving dispensing head communicating with said receiving means for projecting the material onto the pipe wall, and a feed'device for delivering the material to the machine comprising a carriage adapted to travel through the pipe in tandem relation to the machine, means for propelling said feed device carriage, and means for synchronizing both oi' said propelling means to cause their respective carriages to travel in predetermined relation through the pipe while lining its walls.

3. An apparatus for feeding material to a portable machine for treating pipe walls and the like, comprising a carriage movable through the pipe in tandem relation to the machine and' having a receiver for the material including a feed conduit for. operativeconnection to the machine to deliver the material thereto, propelling means for the carriage, and control means for said propelling means including a member disposed for contact with and actuated by the machine to govern said control means and synchronize the speed of said carriage with that of the machine;

4. An apparatus for feeding material to a portable machine for treating pipe walls and the like. comprising acarriage movable through the pipe and having a receiver for the material, a conveying means mounted on said carriage and communicating aty one end with said, receiver and adapted for operative engagement at its discharge end with the portable machine to deliver the material thereto, a variable speed motor -for propelling said carriage in tandem relation to the treating machine, a control member therefor, and an actuating member operatively connected Vto the machine and said control member for governing the latter to synchronize the speed of the carriage with that of the machine.

5. An apparatus forfeeding material to a portable machine for treating pipe walls and the like, comprising a carriage movable through the pipe and having a receiver for the material, a conveying means mounted on said carriage and communicating at one end with said receiver and'. adapted for operative engagement at its discharge end with the portable machine to deliver the material thereto, means constituting a limited axially displaceable connection between said con veying means and the treating machine, a variable speed motor for propelling said carriage in tandem relation to such machine, and an operative connection between said motor and said machine for synchronizing the speed of the car-i et its discharge end with the treating machine. ond means in seid hopper ond its extension for conveying the teriol from the ,hopper to the machine.

7. In e, machine ior lining pipe wells hoving e carriage adopted to trovel through the pipe, ineens applied thereto for receiving e supply oi cooting materiel, ond o revolving dispensing heed communicating `with seid receiving menne, ior projecting the material onto the pipe woll, end a feed device for delivering the meteriel to the machine comprising a conveying corringe adepted to trovel through thepipe in tondem relotion to the machine ond including e, moteriei-receivf ing hopper communicating with' the receiving Ineens of the mochine, a materiel supply truclr movable through the pipe the conveying corrie-ige endedepted to receive the materiel from o point enternelly oi the pipe end deliver it to the cerriege-hopper, clinch-coriA trolled drive ineens for propelling the truck, end ineens for eutometicelly controlling seid. drive ineens when seid truck is brought into operetive relation with seid conveying cori-inge.

d. in o machine for lining pipe wolle hoving e corriege edopted to trovel through the pipe, ineens opplied thereto for receiving e supply o costing materiel, ond e revolving dispensing heed communicating with seid receiving :ineens tor projecting the materiel onto the pipe Well, ond n feed device for delivering the motorini to the niechine comprising e conveying cerriege adapt ed to travel through the pipe in tandem reletion to the mochine end including o motorini-receiving hopper communicating with the receiving ineens of the machine, e nieteriel supply truck movable through the pipe in endwne relntion to the conveying cerriege end ndepted to receive the meter-iol from e point enternelir oi the pipe und deliver it to the cerrioge-hoppcn clutch-conc trolled drive ineens for propelling the trncir,

` manual ineens for controlling cold drive meent,

- materiel to the niochine ond means engegenlole with the conveying cnrriege for eutomoticellv controlling drive means when the trncir` is hrought into operative relotion with seid conveying porridge ond to maintain such reletion when delivering the "om teriol to such cerrioge.

9. The combinationvvith e'ninchine tor lining pipe wells including a cerriege edepted to trevei through the pipe, of e supply trucl: tor delivering While treoting the pipe comprising o loody hnving drive ineens for propelling it through the pipe, e, motorini receiver mounted on seid hotly for movement to end troni e dumping position, e clutch for drive ineens, ond n clutch control lever nornoeliv ure ing said clutch to en engaged position, lever being nutonieticellt1 niovnlole to releeeed pcei= tion when seid trucir is in its operative position.

lil. The combination rvitii e, tor

in endvvise reletion to pipe walls inluding a carriage adapted to travel through the pipe, of e. supply truck ior delivering material to the machine while treating the pipe comprising a body having drive ineens lor propelling it through the pipe, o material receiver mounted on said body for movement to end from a, dumping position, o clutch ior seid drive ineens, end e clutch control lever noringlly urging said clutch to on engaged position, seid lever proiectng forwardly from the trucir for contacting engagement with the machine to outometically release the clutch when the truci; is in operative dumping position and to eect the engagement of the clutch should the truck reach e position Vout oi its dumping position.

il. An eppnrotus for leerling material to e, portable machine for treating the inner weils of pipe lines ond the like, comprising e. wheeled support movable through the pipe and hoving o menno thereon for conveying materiel to the treoting machine, e drive means ior propelling the Wheeled support in tandem relation to the treating machine. e, control member therefor, enel en actuating member operatively connected to the machine end seid control member for governing the letter to synchronize the speed oi seid wheeled support with. thet'oi the machine.

l2. ein epperntns tor feeding materiel to e portehle machine tor treating the inner weils oi pipe lines end the litre, comprising e, wheeled support movehie through the pipe to eind from e dumping position, e dump receiver for the moteriel applied to seid support end prolectelole to ond from en elevated dumping position in oven' hanging reletion to thesupport, and e stabilizing niemioer on seid receiver for contact with the pipe troll in the elevoteol dumping position oi the receiver.

it. En. en epperetus `lor treating the inner wells `of pipe ihres emol the like; in cornhinetion, e cerriege edopted to travel through the pipe and heving o. hopper thereon ternineting below the top vvoii oi? the pipe for receiving a, supply or me teriol to trent the pipe end a, revolving dispensing heed counicoting with seid hopper ior directing the motorini onto the pipe well, e second cerringe edepted to travel through the pipe in ton dem relation to the rst-nemed carriage to move in operetive rele-tion therewith during the treetnient oi the pipe line end having e receiving hops per end o. danchorge counicoting with the hopper oi eoiol @rst-nemesi carriage, end e meteriol-'eiipplyideidce movoole independently through the pipe line toward end trom seid second cerringe end source oi supply, respectively, end leoving e discharge element thereon adapted to project 'over the hopper' or seid second car ringe, the supply device heine adopted, to shut the second cerriegeto :move siinuiteneonsly end in tendens. relation therewith end with the first nemesi cerriege supplying position. 

